How to Encrypt Your iPhone Notes (Locked Notes Setup)

iPhone locked notes use Face ID, Touch ID, or a custom password to protect individual notes. Lock a note: in Apple Notes, long-press a note > Lock > set Face ID/password. Locked notes are encrypted using 256-bit AES on-device.

How Locked Notes Work

Locked notes in Apple Notes are encrypted with your chosen password (which is separate from your iPhone passcode). The encryption key is derived from your password. Apple cannot access locked note content even with a valid subpoena if you use a custom password (not your iCloud password).

Enable Face ID for locked notes: open a locked note > tap Face ID (or Touch ID) when prompted. This lets you unlock with biometrics without entering the password each time.

Security Levels

Custom password (most secure): Settings > Notes > Password > Create a separate notes password. Not linked to your iCloud password. Apple does not have access. If you forget this password, notes are unrecoverable without your iPhone backup.

iCloud password: if you use your iCloud password for notes, Apple technically holds this key. Less secure for adversarial threat models.

Encrypting Specific Notes

Long-press any note > Lock. Or tap the Share/Action icon inside a note > Lock. Only text and formatting are encrypted. Images, attachments, and links inside locked notes are also encrypted.

Locked notes do NOT appear in Spotlight search or Siri results.

Note App Comparison for Encryption

Apple Notes locked notes: good for most users. Notes stay on iCloud (encrypted), accessible across devices.

Standard Notes with E2E: zero-knowledge encryption where even Standard Notes cannot access your data.

Nemos: no note encryption feature. Privacy through on-device AI processing (no content uploaded to AI services). Not a replacement for encrypted notes.

For truly sensitive notes: use Apple Notes locked notes (convenience) or Standard Notes ($2.99/month, zero-knowledge encryption).